National Center for Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship Receives Certification from the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy

– According to the Public Relations Office of the Physical Education and Sports Science Research Institute, the National Center for Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been awarded a certification of competence by the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy. The certification ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Mohammad Javad Sadri Mehr, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Science and Technology in the Development of Innovation Ecosystem Infrastructure.

The Office for the Development of Innovation Ecosystem Infrastructure, under the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, has been strategically expanding infrastructure such as innovation factories, co-creation centers, innovation hubs, technology parks, accelerators, fab labs, coworking spaces, and creative hubs. A key focus has been increasing and directing private sector investment into the national innovation ecosystem.

During the ceremony, Dr. Sadri Mehr emphasized the Vice Presidency’s shift toward qualitative support for innovation centers, stating, "The majority of our support is now focused on infrastructure that has received certification of competence."

On July 14, 2024, four innovation centers were awarded certification, including:

Sharif University of Technology Jihad Innovation Center

National Center for Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Physical Education and Sports Science Research Institute

Iran-Iraq Export and Technology Transfer Innovation Center

Shadid Innovation Center

Dr. Sadri Mehr highlighted the significance of these centers, noting that they underwent rigorous performance evaluations and inspections to earn their certifications. He added, "The assessment and inspection of innovation centers were conducted in accordance with the protocols of the Jihad University Organization for Technology Commercialization and Knowledge-Based Economy, the official agent of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology."

Recognition of the National Center for Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
Dr. Sadri Mehr congratulated the four centers and specifically praised the National Center for Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Physical Education and Sports Science Research Institute. He stated, "This center is one of the few innovation hubs in the country that, despite being active for over six years, has consistently delivered positive results in developing the sports innovation and technology ecosystem."

Remarks by Dr. Behnam Naghipour, Acting Head of the Technology Department at the Research Institute:
Dr. Naghipour provided a report on the activities of the National Center for Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship, describing it as a facilitator and supporter of startups, creative individuals, innovative businesses, and knowledge-based companies in the field of sports sciences.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Saleh Rafiei, Acting Head of the Research Management Department at the Institute, and Engineer Amin Hooshafza, Acting Head of the Community Engagement Department at the Institute.

This certification underscores the center’s pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the sports sector, contributing to the growth of a knowledge-based economy in Iran.